Abstract:
The present invention proposes a charge distribution apparatus for a furnace comprising a charge distribution chute and a drive mechanism (12) with a first rotary drive shaft (14) for rotating the charge distribution chute and a second rotary drive shaft (16) for changing the angle of inclination of the charge distribution chute. The first and second drive shafts (14, 16) are coupled to respective first and second motors (18, 22) via a planetary gear mechanism (20) for driving the first and second drive shafts (14, 16). Each of the first and second rotary drive shafts (14, 16) have a first end (24, 24') with a first pinion (26, 26') interacting with the planetary gear mechanism (20) and a second end (28, 28') with a second pinion (30, 30') interacting with the charge distribution chute, the second end (28, 28') of the rotary drive shaft (14, 16) extending through a furnace wall (32) into the furnace, a primary sealing element (46, 46') being arranged between the furnace wall (32) and the rotary drive shaft (14, 16). The first rotary drive shaft (14) has a first rotation axis and the second rotary drive shaft (16) has a second rotation axis arranged parallel to and at a certain distance from the first rotation axis. A hollow socket (34, 34') is provided in the furnace wall (32) for each of the rotary drive shafts (14, 16), the socket (34, 34') comprising a first end (36, 36') outside the furnace and facing the drive mechanism (12) and a second end (38, 38') inside the furnace and facing the second pinion (30, 30'), the rotary drive shaft (14, 16) extending through the socket (34, 34'). The second end (38, 38') of the socket (34, 34') comprises a second end-wall (42, 42') wherein the primary sealing element (46, 46') is arranged between the socket (34, 34') and the rotary drive shaft (14, 16), so as to face the second pinion (30, 30'), the second pinion (30, 30') being removably connected to the rotary drive shaft (14, 16).
Abstract:
A charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute for bulk material and a drive mechanism for the distribution chute. The distribution chute has a trough-shaped main part with an open impact section and an outlet section. The main part provides a sliding channel between the impact section and the outlet section. The drive mechanism for the distribution chute is capable of rotating the distribution chute about an essentially vertical axis and pivoting the distribution chute about an essentially horizontal axis so as to allow distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the present invention, the distribution chute comprises a circumferentially closed funnel portion which tapers in the direction of flow and is arranged downstream of the impact section and with its outlet at the downstream end of said trough-shaped main part.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a cooling plate comprises following steps: pro- viding a metallic plate body (10) with a front face (12), a rear face (14) and at least one channel (22) extending through the metallic plate body beneath the front face; inserting with radial clearance a metallic tube (30) into the channel (22) so that both tube ends (32, 34) protrude out of the channel (22); and achieving a press fit of the tube (30) within the channel (22) by shrinking the section of the channel (22) by means of a metal-forming process applied to the plate body (10).
Abstract:
A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace comprises a cast cooling plate body (12) made of a ferrous metal and at least one steel cooling pipe (20) cast in the cooling plate body (12). A metallic jacket (26) having a thickness in the millimetre range is provided on the outer surface of the steel cooling pipe (20) in the cooling plate body (12), the metallic jacket (26) being made from a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, copper alloys, nickel and nickel alloys.
Abstract:
The present invention proposes a hot blast control valve (10) for a metallurgical installation, in particular for controlling the flow of hot blast of a blast furnace. The hot blast control valve (10) comprises a metallic valve housing (12) with a refractory lining (20) in which a gas channel (22) is defined; and a valve member (24) rotatably arranged in the gas channel (22) so as to be able of varying a free passage in the gas channel (22) by rotation of the valve member (24) about a rotation axis (26) between an open position and a closed position. The valve member (24) has an envelope with rotational symmetry about the rotation axis (26) and has a through passage (28) arranged in the valve member (24) in a direction transversely to the rotation axis (26) of the valve member (24). The through passage (28) has a cross- section substantially identical to that of the gas passage (22). Furthermore, the through passage (28) is arranged in the valve member (24) so as to be aligned with the gas channel (22) when the valve member (24) is in its open position.
Abstract:
A charging device for a metallurgical reactor comprises a stationary housing having a lower housing part (104) with an annular rotor (108) therein and an upper housing part (106) having at least one charge material inlet (112; 114) that is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotor (108). The rotor (108) supports a distribution member (116) for distributing charge material circumferentially about its axis of rotation. A feeder spout (120) inside the stationary housing has a longitudinal axis and channels charge material through a central passage (110) in the rotor (108) onto the distribution member (116). A conduit-connecting rotary joint (130) has a stationary part (134) and a rotary part (132) and connects a stationary conduit (154; 155) to a rotary conduit (152; 153) for fluid supply to the rotor (108) and/or to the distribution member (116). The feeder spout (120) has an inlet section (122) arranged in the upper housing part (106) and an outlet section (124) arranged at least partially in the lower housing part (104). The feeder spout (120) is rotatably supported and coupled in rotation to the rotor (108) to rotate together therewith. According to the invention, the rotary joint (130) has a joint diameter that is smaller than the width of the central passage (110) in the rotor. The feeder spout (120) further comprises a support (140) having at least one spoke member (142) fixed to the feeder spout (120) and supporting the rotary part (132) of the rotary joint (130) coaxially with the longitudinal spout axis and above the outlet section (124). The rotary conduit (152; 153) passes from the rotary part (132) of the rotary joint (130) via the support (140) and via the outside of the feeder spout (120) to the rotor (108) and/or to the distribution member (116).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a drive mechanism for a distribution chute (14) in a shaft furnace charging installation. This drive mechanism comprises rotary supporting means (15) supporting the distribution chute so that it can be rotated, typically about a vertical axis of rotation (A), and a fixed structure (10) supporting the rotary supporting means (15). It has a main drive motor (30) for rotating the chute and an auxiliary drive motor (40) for adjusting the position of the chute, typically the pivotal position about a horizontal axis (B). The drive mechanism further comprises first, second and third transmission means (34; 46; 54). The first transmission (34) operationally couples the main drive motor (30) to a first ring gear (40) rigidly connected to the rotary supporting means (15). The second transmission (46) operationally couples the auxiliary drive motor (40) to a second ring gear (48) that is independently rotatable about the axis of rotation (A). The third transmission (54) is supported by the rotary supporting means (15) and operationally couples the second ring gear (48) to the distribution chute (14) for adjusting the position of the distribution chute, typically its pivotal position. According to the invention, the third transmission (54) comprises at least one epicyclic sun-and-planet gear train (56; 256; 356) that is supported by the rotary supporting means (15) and operationally coupled to a third ring gear (71; 471 ) rigidly connected to the fixed structure (10). The proposed epicyclic sun-and-planet gear train (56; 256; 356) has an input shaft (58; 258) driven by the second ring gear (48) and an output shaft (74; 274) connected to adjust the position of the distribution chute (14).
Abstract:
A charging device (10; 10'; 10'') for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute (20; 20'; 20''; 20'''), which is supported rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation (A), and a variable-speed drive (26) connected to the distribution chute. The variable-speed drive is configured to rotate the distribution chute for circumferential distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the invention, the distribution chute comprises multiple chute sections (32, 34, 36, 38) that are interlinked by articulations so as to be capable of forming a curved channel for radial distribution of bulk material on the charging surface, the degree of curvature of said channel being variable in function of the speed of rotation (ω) of the distribution chute.
Abstract:
A method for calibrating a weighing system of a blast furnace top hopper and a corresponding weighing system are disclosed. The method comprises the step of using at least one actuator for exerting a vertical net force with a certain magnitude onto the hopper, so as to simulate a certain weight of charge material in the hopper; and the step of determining the magnitude of the vertical net force. According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of determining the magnitude of a pressure exerting a lifting force onto said hopper and the step of using the determined magnitude of the vertical net force and the determined magnitude of the pressure to establish calibration data for the weighing system.
Abstract:
A charging device for bulk material comprises a rotor (22) having a substantially vertical axis of rotation (20'), a first drive (32) for rotating the rotor (22) and a chute (38) supported by the rotor (22) so as to be rotated with the latter. The chute (38) can be rotated about its longitudinal axis (42'). Its concavely curved sliding surface (52) has a width that is diminishing from the top end to the bottom end of the chute (38), so that it is possible to vary the location where bulk material sliding down the chute channel (50) leaves the latter by rotating the chute (38) about its longitudinal axis (42').